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Paper Talk: Pair battle for Isco, Gunners want Zaza

Ander Herrera, Isco and Simone Zaza in the news

Arsenal and Manchester City are plotting a January move for Isco, the Gunners also want Juventus striker Simone Zaza, while Ander Herrera is being tracked by Valencia and Barcelona.

HERRERA STAYING PUT

Manchester United have received no enquiries for midfielder Ander Herrera, despite reported interest from La Liga pair Valencia and Barcelona, claims the Daily Mail.

The paper claims the Spanish sides taken a keen interest in the 26-year-old after he started the season on the sidelines following the summer arrivals of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

He has been touted as a future replacement for Xavi at Barcelona – who have maintained an interest in his career since his early days at Real Zaragoza.

Although the £28.8million midfielder was disappointed to be left out of the starting line-up, he remains happy at Old Trafford and has no plans to move. He also said this week how he wants United to push on this season and win some major honours.

Equally, Louis van Gaal views Herrera as a key member of his squad as he showed to some degree in the Champions League qualifying victory over Club Bruges in Belgium.

CITY AND ARSENAL PLOT ISCO SWOOP

Manchester City and Arsenal are both keen to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco and will battle Juventus for his signature when the January transfer window opens.

That’s according to Spanish newspaper Sport, who claim the Gunners will make a 30million euros move for the player, while Manuel Pellegrini – who managed the player at Malaga – could also be tempted to enter the race.

However, the publication says the duo will have to battle with Juve for Isco, with the Old Lady still smarting after failing to land Julian Draxler from Schalke, with the Germany international instead opting for Wolfsburg.

ARSENAL EYE JUVE STRIKER ZAZA

Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker to take the weight off Olivier Giroud’s shoulders could mean a January move for Simone Zaza of Juventus.

The Old Lady rejected a summer approach from West Ham for the player after opting to keep him at the club for now, but could be willing to let him go for the right offer in January, according to Spanish news outlet Fichajes.

The Gunners are without Danny Welbeck for anything between three to six months depending on which reports you read, leaving Olivier Giroud as their lone frontman for now.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was linked with moves for Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at various stages over the summer, but none of those deals materialised and it seems he may have turned his sights elsewhere. Arsenal were linked with FC Basel frontman Breel Embolo, according to Tuesday’s gossip.